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Ed Rendell in new pro-Kamala Harris ad filmed at Hymie’s Deli

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Ed Rendell performs in response to controversial Hymie ad

The election period is almost over, but the battle for the soul of Hymie’s Delicatessen is not yet settled.

Last week, Victor explained how the Main Line restaurant sparked controversy by authorizing the filming of an ad for the Republican Jewish Coalition Victory Fund. There was no Hymie sign or staff in the ad, but people familiar with the location could tell. “Oy vey,” says the lead actress. “You know, I never liked Trump, but at least he’ll keep us safe.”

This week, a new commercial filmed in the same grocery store arrived, this one brought to you by the Lower Merion and Narberth Democratic Committee. In it, former Mayor/Governor Ed Rendell, former Republican State Representative Lita Cohen, former Montco Republican Committee Chairman Ken Davis and Silvi Specter, granddaughter of Arlen, shake your head to the previous ad for its use of Jewish stereotypes, before claiming that even longtime Republicans are voting for Harris. The acting is okay, but the sandwiches are amazing.

Watch this space (X)

Elon Musk didn’t come to Philadelphia today for the “emergency hearing” on his plan to give millions of dollars to voters in swing states, but he still “won.” Prosecutor Larry Krasner’s trial is currently “on hold” and will likely be resolved in federal court. The situation therefore remains unresolved and Musk is still there handing out (literally) big checks.

Here is a somewhat related title from Wall Street Journal: “Trump says he doesn’t know about Musk’s contacts with Putin.” Not cool. Have a group chat, guys.

Requiem for this statue of Trump that disappeared too soon

A reader in Philadelphia reported another mysterious new monument that magically appeared in a public park to “honor” Trump.

This looks a lot like those appearing in Washington.

Titled “In Honor of a Lifetime of Sexual Assault,” it features Trump’s “grab ’em by the pussy” comment. pic.twitter.com/tvEvaLMVoX

– Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) October 30, 2024

Didn’t we have almost everything?

Just yesterday, Philadelphia temporarily hosted one of those satirical, non-pro-Trump statues that have been popping up around the country. Installed clandestinely in front of the Park Towne Place apartments at 22nd and Parkway, the piece depicted the former president perverting himself on a statue of a naked woman called Maja by Gerhard Marks.

First, props to the mystery artist for choosing a location that was both important and obscure. Google Trends only has two peaks for the phrase “Maja Park” – the day it was unveiled in 2021, and yesterday when Trump creeping introduced himself. (What? The statue needed a name.)

Oh, Trump creeping. For a piece of public art, it was funny, dark, and a bit subversive, its intentions made clear by the plaque at its base that paid tribute to the former president’s “life of sexual assault.”

A similar statue by the same artist(s) appeared recently in Portland, Oregon, as well as more elegant, interpretive pieces in Washington: Poop on Pelosi’s deskcommemorating the attempted insurrection of January 6, and Neo-Nazi Tiki Torchreferring to the 2017 neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville that Trump said had “very capable people on both sides.”

Unfortunately, just hours after this materialized, Trump creeping was knocked down by municipal workers and transported to unknown areas.

Okay, fine. The mysterious artist did not have the necessary permissions to place the statue there. And it’s true, his humor and his politics don’t suit everyone. But tearing the thing down was just an unamusing schoolteacher move. It was a free statue! And we only let it sit for what, six hours maximum? Silly.

Think how long Rizzo lumberjack was allowed to stand well beyond this city’s general tolerance for him.

What if we made a rule: the next time someone gives us a cool statue, we leave it up long enough to post our photos of it on social media.

PS Whoever puts Mayor Parker’s portrait on those Harris-Walz billboards should really take it down. You make our mayor look vain and attention-seeking! J.K.

elevate “making yourself” an art form pic.twitter.com/U7p2HQWTMk

– Dom’s Victories (@_vectorist) October 27, 2024

Man Sees Real Witch in Philadelphia

It’s Halloween and you know what that means. Costumes, candy and decorations. I said you know what that means. But hey, do you want to hear a real horror story set in Philadelphia? The podcast Radio rental*recently included such a piece. Listen below, but you might want to fast forward about five minutes.

* Hosted by actor Rainn Wilson as “Terry Carnation” Radio rental is an often funny podcast that brings together supposedly true stories of suspense and near-death (and also just stories of people having strange feelings and then not realizing it, leaving readers sort of wishing that the narrators have at least been attacked a little by a monster). Several things about Radio rental it makes no sense, like what do radios have to do with it? Why does the principle imply that the host searches for VHS tapes when it is an audio-only format? Often I skip straight to the stories, but I feel bad, so it’s okay.

By the numbers

5 p.m.: In a staggering misuse of the planet’s dwindling natural resources, Philadelphians can get free M&Ms delivered to their homes tonight.

9,000: Members of the AFSCME District Council 33 union who have just voted in favor of a strike for “higher wages, better benefits and relaxed residency protocols.” Workers gathered yesterday in front of the town hall.

11/12 It’s at that moment People the magazine’s next sexiest issue is out, and hey, these Kelce Boys won the prestigious title of sexiest podcasters.

Taylor Swift: I know! It’s not a number! But that East my prediction for who will make the headlines the rumor of the Parkway election day eve concert. I’m not basing this on anything. I have no inside knowledge. I just think it would be cool. And she doesn’t have any gigs booked that day. Plus, she loves us. And oh my God, I just remembered Hillary Clinton and Jon Bon Jovi on Independence Mallon EDE, 2016. Oh, and the Art Museum just announced that it will be closed Monday for “security reasons,” and who needs more security than Tay?

Local talent

Philly band gone Moped recently added his brief but stellar discography to streaming sites. Jangly, catchy and incredibly upbeat, the indie pop trio played clubs like the Khyber and the North Star from 1993 to 1997, after which its members went on to make music in The Jane Anchor, Sonny Sixkiller, The Bigger Lovers and, more recently, The Bret Tobias Ensemble. There’s nothing terribly dated about Moped’s sound, and fans of Waxahatchee and/or Momma should check them out. Where have you gone, Kara Lafty?